Philosophy

In Physics II Chapter Three, Aristotle outlines the term nature as a source or cause of being moved and of being at rest in which it belongs primarily. He contrasts two kinds of nature, and these are nature as matter and nature as a form or definition. Aristotle outlines four causes, including material, efficient, formal, and final. Material cause is delineated as that out of which a thing becomes and what continues is said to be a cause. Secondly, formal cause is defined as a form or example, and this is a formula of essence and parts that are in the formula. Third of all, the efficient cause is the main beginning point from which change or rest emanates. Lastly, final cause can be considered the purpose or the sense of an end, specifically, what something is meant for (Cohen, 2006).

In accordance to Aristotle, the aforementioned four changes are necessitated to elucidate change in the real world. The full elucidation of any material change utilizes all the four causes. This paper discusses Aristotle's notion of final cause. This outlines why the efficient causes and formal causes undertake what they do. It is 'what' for the sake of why something is done. For instance, the final cause of a house is to provide shelter and accommodation for an individual. This explanation can be illustrated by the diagram below:

One of the themes that can be discussed from the philosophical text is the teleology of nature. In particular, teleology is deemed to be the understanding of the purposes of things or their ends. In accordance to Aristotle, the ultimate way to comprehend the reason why things are the way they are, it to gain an understanding of what purpose such things were intended to serve. His focus on teleology makes the implication that there is a reason for each and every thing. A good example of understanding causes is analyzing the question 'why do rocks fall?' In accordance to Aristotle, the reason why rocks fall is for the reason that they are heavy. This points out to the final cause of the rocks falling and their existence. Another example that can be used to explain teleology is the fruit. The main purpose of the fruit is not to act as a form of meal for human beings or animals, but rather its purpose is to create another tree (Adler, 1997).

A second theme that can be discussed is human nature and cause of existence. In the same manner in which Aristotle perceives purpose in systems of biology and anatomy, final causality of human beings is seen as well. This is because in their nature, human beings are prepared and bound for a final end (Hassing, 1997). In accordance to Aristotle, taking into consideration that human beings are inherently rational, an argument can be made that rationality is the final cause of human beings and that our ultimate and fundamental purpose is to live up to our rationality. However, there are key aspects that have to be taken into consideration. For instance, are human unintentional occurrences and circumstances of great significance signify some kind of purpose? Taking into consideration that human beings have the final causality of rationality, do they have ends before their choice? (Gotthelf, 1997).

A third theme that can be discussed is God as the final cause. As is known, final causality takes into account the end for which the motion occurs. The notion of final cause brings into play the existence of God. Considering that God is the creator of the universe, then a thematic analysis should be whether every end or purpose is God. This is because if God created every being, then the ultimate cause is God. However, Aristotle does not necessarily state this. However, he basically points out that something or other actions for an end which it does not know and does not select, and that this fact demonstrates that there is a cause of those things which leads them to their final causes (Magee, 2015).

Aristotle's notion of final cause, as a philosophical tool, can be applicable to technology. A specific aspect of technology that can be taken into consideration is medical technology. The advancement of technology has an end purpose. In particular, why does medical technology exist? On the basis of Aristotle's notion of final cause, medical technology exists because human beings advance and progress it. This is because they endeavor to utilize such technology in nursing, medical fields and rendering health care to the general public. Medical technology is purposed to improve the health of human beings and their welfare in general. This can be outlined using the following illustration:

Welfare
Technology
Human Beings

It is imperative to note that some medical technologies do not exist naturally and therefore have to be created by abiding by the natural direction of development. Essentially, if something is naturally in existence, then the individual ought to diligently mimic nature. As a result, technology takes into account the replication of natural things or finishing the natural progression of things devoid of devising new things. The purpose of technology is to generate things in the precise manner that nature would have generated them. In this particular case, medical technology imitates nature in that, nature purposes for human beings to be healthy and have proper wellbeing. Naturally, human beings exist healthily and therefore, the purpose of medical technology is to ascertain that in the end, humans are healthy and doing well.

References

Adler, M. J. (1997). Aristotle for everybody. Simon and Schuster.

Cohen, S. M. (2006). The Four Causes. Retrieved from: https://faculty.washington.edu/smcohen/320/4causes.htm

Gotthelf, A. (1997). Understanding Aristotle's Teleology'. Final causality in nature and human affairs, 71-82.

Hassing, R. F. (Ed.). (1997). Final causality in nature and human affairs (Vol. 30). CUA Press.

Magee, J. M. (2015). The Four Causes. Retrieved from: http://www.aquinasonline.com/Topics/4causes.html